How Can I Log In As root User?

How do I log in as root user under Linux, Apple OS X, *BSD, and UNIX-like operating systems? On Linux, *BSD, and UNIX like opeating systems the root user act as a superuser. Root user is the conventional name of the user who has all rights or permissions on the system. The root user can do many things an ordinary user cannot, such as changing the ownership of files, mounting disk, formatting & restating new file system, starting/stopping services, and binding to ports numbered below 1024 and more.

It is not good a practice for anyone to use root as their normal user account, because of security risks. Therefore, you use a normal user account instead. You need to use the su or sudo command to switch to root user account.

su command

The su command is use to change user ID or become super-user during a login session i.e. it allows you to become a super user or substitute user, spoof user, set user or switch user.

Note: su only works if you know the target or root user’s password.

su command syntax

The syntax is:

su - {user-name}

If invoked without a user-name, su defaults to becoming the super user. The user will be prompted for a password, if appropriate.

Once logged in, your prompt should change from $ to #. To log in as another user say nixcraft, type the following command (you need to supply nixcraft user account password when prompted): $ su - nixcraft Sample outputs:

Password:

Remote root login over the ssh session

You can use the ssh client as follows:$ ssh root@server.ip-address-here $ ssh root@server1.cyberciti.biz $ ssh root@1.2.3.4 However, remote root login over ssh session is disabled in most cases for security reasons. First, login as a normal user and then switch to root account using the su command:

su command and log files

The su command logs its usage in a system log file. This is useful to find out su login information. If you are RHEL / CentOS / Fedora Linux user type the following as root to see the contents of /var/log/secure:# tail -f /var/log/secure Debian / Ubuntu Linux user try:# tail -f /var/log/auth.log Sample outputs:

Say hello to sudo command

The sudo is a program for Linux / Apple OS X / *BSD / Unix-like computer operating systems that allows users to run programs with the security privileges of another user, normally the superuser (root). By default, sudo will prompt for a user password but it may be configured to require the root password or no password at all. Apple Mac OS X and Ubuntu Linux and many other oses uses sudo command for many administrative tasks.

sudo executes a command as another user but follows a set of rules about which users can execute which commands as which other users. This is configured in a filed named /etc/sudoers. Unlike su, sudo authenticates users against their own password rather than that of the target user. See how to configure and use sudo tool under Linux operating system.

For example, to login as root under Linux or Unix like operating system, type:$ sudo -s

Sample sudo command session

Fig.01: Switching to root account using sudo command

Sudo and log file

The sudo log can be viewed by issuing the following command as root user:

I have installed ubuntu and always log in as user. I have read the HOW TOO’s but I am confused by the comment ‘Make sure you use the root password.’ How can you use a root password when you haven’t got one (I think) because the only password I use is the password I gave when I installed Ubuntu (dapper Drake). Is this a root password also if you say it’s root as time of login. If you have to have a seperate login root password – How do you get it? Thanks john6.

By default, the root account password is locked in Ubuntu. This means that you cannot login as root directly or use the su command to become the root user. However, since the root account physically exists it is still possible to run programs with root-level privileges.

I have to agree that the entire tenor of this conversation is offensive. Crossing the street is dangerous, also, but I do it anyway. My mother taught me the risks when I was quite small, as well as how to do it safely. If you really want to keep UBUNTU safe from learning problems, I suggest that you lock down the entire system and send us all to a Windows app.

Instead, please stop insulting all of us who are adults and capable of taking our own risks. I need to open the folder /etc/openvpn using my GUI and add a file to the folder. Stop patronizing me and tell me how to do this please.

I agree whole-heartedly. Uber-geek Linux users can be extremely condescending. I’ve had them to tell me to RTFM. Which one? The “right” one”? The “other” one. The one that applies to my distro? Oh wait, that distro has tons of bugs, but the upcoming distro gives you a workaround. RTFM! How bout this? FTFM ! FIX it. Fix all the crappy and conflicting documentation. Yeah, this thing is “free”. But when all the wasted time getting things to work is considered, it’s more expensive than products from The Dark Empire. Bottom line is, if you’re going to do something, whether it’s for free or not, do it right and make it work like you say it does. Or don’t do it at all. You people have a lot of nerve criticizing Windows when you worship a product that is a stone’s throw away from hieroglyphics and documented in glyphs. Cheers, ubers …

I agree wholeheartedly. I need Linux for a project, but it, and all other Linux distros I’ve used, seems to be dwelling in the past, and the developers delight in their backward approach and to delight in making things difficult. Personally, I think it’s almost up to the Windows 98 point, but not quite there yet….

Linux has become more and more like microsoft, not allowing root log in? really? I thoguht the whole selling point for linux back in the day was that we didnt have the hood welded shut!! Any one remember that, I also remember that in the beginning of linux.. back when it was all terminal there was only root!! you could add other users of course, but why? Any way my point being is that with out Root LOG IN!! you are just anothe windows microsoft puppet.

I have read all of the notes on root login and still do not have the answer that i want. I have over 30 years in the business and since retired a 100% disabled Vet. I just want to be able to Login as root just like any other user and I do not want to have to su each time to do things. I am well aware of the risks but since this is my own Ubuntu System I think I am capable of managing it. I am running UBuntu 14.10 and what I would like is to be able to do the following; Login root passwrd lslslslslsl and then I will be root for anything that I need . Please help with a simple straight way to do this in UbunTu.. DO I need to use Fedora instead ?? Leo Leo Leavittleoleavitt@gmail.com

I am having a problem since yesterday. A server was running since 2 years and every thing was working fine. suddenly yesterday it refused to accept the credentials. It doesn’t allow to login even with root user.